Alstroemeria named Debra

ABSTRACT

This plant is particularly characterized by its dwarf habit which makes the plant eminently suitable for cultivation as a potted plant. In addition, the plant bears several flowering stalks which carry large attractive flowers which are predominantly of a red-pink coloration. The attractive flowers and desirable growth habit of this plant provide a novel addition to the range of Alstroemerias.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This new variety of Alstroemeria originated as a seedling resulting fromcrossing two plants growing among a collection of breeding stockmaintained in a greenhouse in Encinitas, Calif. The seedling wasselected for further propagation and testing because of the dwarfcharacteristic of the whole plant, and the attractive color of the manylarge flowers contained in several inflorescences as the plant bloomedin a pot. The select plant was propagated in Salt Lake City, Utah, bydivision of the rhizomatous rootstock and through tissue culture. Thedistinguishing characteristics of the new plant hold true in successivevegetative generations and appear to be firmly fixed. Propagation workis currently being carried out in Salt Lake City using tissue culturemethods.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new variety of Alstroemeria plant is illustrated by theaccompanying photographic drawing in full color showing a blooming umbelof the plant with buds and flowers in different stages of flowerdevelopment. The color renditions are believed to be as close to thespecified color as is possible to obtain by conventional photographicprocedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Alstroemeria varietywith color designations according to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London, England. The observations weremade on plants grown in a greenhouse in Utah county, Utah, during thesummer.

THE PLANT

Origin: Seedling (73-RP-186B).

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Breeding stock plant No. RP.

Pollen parent.--Breeding stock plant No. 186B.

Classification: Alstroemeria hybrid.

Form: Compact, erect bush with a slightly spreading habit having severalflower stalks bearing branches with simple umbel arrangement at thetops.

Height: About 35 to 55 cm.

Growth: Erect, vigorous and strong.

Rootstock: Rhizomatous, the rhizomes bear numerous buds which give riseto vegetative and reproductive shoots throughout the growth period.Rhizomes also produce roots, some of which become tuberous.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Medium, about 30 leaves per stem.

Leaf size.--About 11 cm.

Leaf shape.--Elliptical.

Texture.--Waxy.

Color.--Upper surface -- Light green. Lower surface -- Light green.

THE BUD

Form: Pear-shaped. The six petals are perianth and there is no calyx.

Size: Medium.

Diameter.--1.0 cm.

Length.--2.0 cm.

Length of peduncle: 1.5 cm.

THE FLOWER

Blooming habit: Continuous and freely flowering throughout the season.

Flower size: Large.

Diameter.--About 6.0 cm.

Length.--About 7.0 cm.

Shape: Generally funnel-like.

Borne: Singly.

Petalage:

Number.--Six.

Arrangement.--Two concentric circles of three.

Form.--Outer petals -- Obcordate. Inner petals -- Elliptical.

Texture.--Smooth.

Appearance.--Satiny.

Color.--Outer Petals: The general color is red-purple, 63B, with a patchof red, 54A, in the middle of the distal half. Central, on the uppermargin is a small green protruberance, 143B. The basal part is red, 54C.The reverse surface is red-purple, 64C. Five, green, longitudinal veinsoriginate from the green protruberance. Intraveinally on the distalhalf, is a green patch. Inner petals: Upper; The pointed tip is green,143B. The distal part is red-purple, 63B. The mid section is white witha central yellow spot, 8A. The basal part is red, 54D. There are manylongitudinal streaks of greyed-purple, 187A. The distal portion of thereverse surface is red-purple, 63B. Centrally, there is a yellow spot,1B. The basal part is red, 54C. Lower; There is a small, pointed, greentip. The general color is red-purple, the distal portion 63B, and thebasal part 63D. Longitudinal, greyed-purple streaks, 187A, are prominenton the distal half. The reverse surface is red-purple, distally 63C, andbasally 63D. The streaks on the other surface are visible through thepetal.

Persistence: The flowers hang and dry.

Lasting quality: On the plant, 14-18 days.

Main stem or stalk:

Length.--40 to 50 cm.

Color.--Green.

Character.--Upright, strong and thick.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Number.--Six.

Arrangement.--One opposite each petal.

Anthers.--Size: 8.0 mm. Color: Beige.

Filaments.--Length: About 4.5 cm. Color: Pink.

Pollen.--Color: Grey.

Pistils:

Number.--One.

Style.--Length: About 4.5 cm. Color: Pink.

Stigma.--Color: Pink.

Fruit:

Shape.--Capsular.

Color.--Light brown at maturity.

What is claimed:
 1. A new and distinctive Alstroemeria hybrid,substantially as shown and described herein, characterized by a dwarfhabit and large red-pink colored flowers which are borne in attractiveinfloresences on relatively dwarf flower stalks.